The Social Security Administration (SSA) imposes stringent requirements, with initial approval rates for SSDI applicants estimated to be less than 50%. We’ll explore the reason why a disability claim may be denied in this article.
Collaborating with a disability attorney becomes crucial to ensure you present your most compelling cases during the application process. Contact us today for help with filing your claim or appealing a denial. We represent clients in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and across the country.
Inadequate Medical Documentation
One common cause for SSDI claims to be denied is a lack of medical documentation on your disability. Typically, this occurs when your application lacks adequate medical evidence to support the assertion that you are disabled and incapable of working.
The decision-making process relies on the documentation provided by healthcare professionals, and without comprehensive medical records, it becomes challenging for the SSA to assess the severity of a claimant’s condition.
Multiple Applications and Neglecting the Appeal Process
SSDI applications often get denied due to insufficient information for the SSA to grant SSDI benefits. It’s wiser to initiate the appeal process before submitting a fresh application. The appeal process offers multiple levels where you can rectify or enhance your application.
The initial reconsideration stage involves requesting the SSA to reevaluate your claim. It’s not uncommon to face another denial at this point. The subsequent phase involves an appeal before an administrative law judge, which may yield better results. Here, you can testify about your disability and its impact on your life and ability to work.
Moreover, there are two additional stages in the appeal process – seeking a review from the SSA’s Appeals Council and initiating legal action in the Federal District Court. None of these phases should be tackled without proper guidance. It is advisable to work with a Louisiana disability attorney to present your strongest case when appealing.
You Do Not Have a Qualifying Medical Condition
Your specific medical condition may not meet the criteria for being considered a qualifying medical condition, even if it significantly impairs your ability to work. The Social Security Administration (SSA) maintains a list of severe medical conditions that automatically prevent a person from engaging in substantial gain activity.
However, sometimes, an applicant’s medical issue doesn’t align with the conditions on this list. In such cases, the SSA has to assess whether the person’s condition is comparable to one of the listed conditions.
Your Employment History Is Not Long Enough to Qualify for SSDI
Your eligibility for SSDI hinges on not only meeting the SSA’s disability criteria but also having an extensive and up-to-date employment history.
To qualify for SSDI benefits, applicants must have gathered a specific number of work credits based on their reported annual wages or self-employment income, which must have been subjected to taxation.
This simply means you must have worked for a number of years and earned work credits. These work credits are earned for every quarter of the year, provided a minimum income threshold is met. The required income threshold for earning one work credit varies annually.
Also, the eligibility criteria for SSDI are contingent on your age at the time of disability onset. As a general guideline, individuals typically require 40 work credits, with 20 accumulated within the preceding decade.
Younger applicants may require less credits based on the situation. It is important to note that insufficient work credits can result in the denials of an SSDI claim, regardless of your disability status.
You Earn Higher Than a Certain Amount
If your income while employed exceeds the threshold of $1,470, known as “substantial gainful activity” (SGA), your application for SSDI benefits may be denied.
Helping Clients Get Disability Claims Approved
Seeking SSDI approval can be a formidable undertaking, marked by a lengthy and demanding journey, typically taking around seven months for an initial determination to be made.
At Ascend Disability Lawyers, LLC, we’re dedicated to helping clients in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and across the country get disability claims approved. Call us today at (855) 445-9787 or contact us through our website for a free consultation.
